MariamIS THIS RAFA'S KEEGAN MOMENT?
Sir Alex Ferguson has a long history of riling opposition managers. Many of his coaching rivals have felt the effect of his so-called ‘mind games’, with Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho and most notably Kevin Keegan showing signs of strain down the years. Rafa Benitez joined that list in style this week.
All the above managers responded publicly to the Manchester United’s subtle and (unsubtle) media manipulation when involved with the Red Devils in Championship battles, which is why Benitez only had his say five years into a simmering relationship with Ferguson – Liverpool’s title challenge is their first proper one in 18 years.
Arsenal and Chelsea’s success during Ferguson’s recent years at Old Trafford marks their respective managers’ Ferguson-inspired rants apart from Keegan’s. The destiny of Liverpool’s title challenge will dictate which group Benitez’s outburst is remembered with.
Newcastle had just about wasted a 12 month lead over United when Keegan famously lost the plot near the end of the 1995/96 Premiership season. This year’s title race has longer to run, but Benitez, like Keegan, attacked Ferguson because of the pressure of being at the top of the table.
Keegan’s rant was in response to some calculated Ferguson mind games – the suggestion that teams will be more motivated against the Reds than Newcastle – whereas Benitez was riled by more general Ferguson complaints, such as the Premier League fixture list and respect of referees.
This suggests the Liverpool man’s rant, whilst perhaps less vitriolic, is suggestive of a man less in control than Keegan was. Ferguson must be left smiling at his rival’s outburst, as he was 13 years ago.
Written by Philip Oliver, a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting at Betfair
All the above managers responded publicly to the Manchester United’s subtle and (unsubtle) media manipulation when involved with the Red Devils in Championship battles, which is why Benitez only had his say five years into a simmering relationship with Ferguson – Liverpool’s title challenge is their first proper one in 18 years.
Arsenal and Chelsea’s success during Ferguson’s recent years at Old Trafford marks their respective managers’ Ferguson-inspired rants apart from Keegan’s. The destiny of Liverpool’s title challenge will dictate which group Benitez’s outburst is remembered with.
Newcastle had just about wasted a 12 month lead over United when Keegan famously lost the plot near the end of the 1995/96 Premiership season. This year’s title race has longer to run, but Benitez, like Keegan, attacked Ferguson because of the pressure of being at the top of the table.
Keegan’s rant was in response to some calculated Ferguson mind games – the suggestion that teams will be more motivated against the Reds than Newcastle – whereas Benitez was riled by more general Ferguson complaints, such as the Premier League fixture list and respect of referees.
This suggests the Liverpool man’s rant, whilst perhaps less vitriolic, is suggestive of a man less in control than Keegan was. Ferguson must be left smiling at his rival’s outburst, as he was 13 years ago.
Written by Philip Oliver, a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting at Betfair
